1. Expository Writing Lesson
Canned Lesson
Expository Writing Lesson

2. Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin.
Writing Topic
Best friends are special people in our lives. Think about your best friend and reasons that you like him or her. Think about things that you enjoy doing together. Now write multi-paragraph composition to your teacher telling about your best friend. Include at least three reasons why she/he is your best friend. Remember to use specific details to explain and support your reasons.

3. Identify RAFTS R = role (this is the student’s role as a writer)
A = audience (student identifies the audience)
F = format (is the prompt asking you to write a composition, a letter, a fictional story, a poem, etc…)
T = topic (identify the topic)
S = supporting details

4. IDENTIFY RAFTS Writing Topic Best friends are special people in our lives. Think about your best friend and reasons that you like him or her. Think about things that you enjoy doing together. Now write multi-paragraph composition to your teacher telling about your best friend. Include at least three reasons why she/he is your best friend. Remember to use specific details to explain and support your reasons.

5. Step 2: Brainstorm
Think about 3 reasons why he/she is your best friend.

6. Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer.
Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

7. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Unfold the paper and draw a box in the center. In the center box, write a well-written thesis statement based on the prompt.

8. Andrea is my best friend and a special person in my life.

9. In squares 1-3, add your 3 reasons from your brainstorming why she/he is your best friend. These will be your main ideas for each body paragraph(one in each square). All sentences should support the main topic in the center.

10. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.1
Write one reason ___ is your best friend.
Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write another reason ___ is your best friend. 2
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life. 4 3
Write another reason ___ is your best friend.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.

11. Go back to square 1 and write 3 supporting details in bulleted form for the main idea. Then, do the same for square 2 and square 3.

12. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.1
Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write 3 details about this reason.
Write 3 details about this reason. 2
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
sad
good news
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
trustworthy
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life. 3 4
Write 3 details about this reason.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Projects and homework
Chores
sick

13. Square 4 is the ending or conclusion paragraph
Square 4 is the ending or conclusion paragraph. The ending doesn’t give more details, but sometimes ends with a personal feeling. Sometimes it can end with a question that serves as an invitation to the reader. Other times, it can end looking back and summarizing the main ideas. Most times the writer can use a combination of the three endings for a satisfying sense of closure to most informational pieces. Write the ending paragraph in square 4.

14. ------------------------------------------------------------------1
Write 3 details about this reason.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Write 3 details about this reason. 2
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
trustworthy
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
sad
good news
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life. 3 4
Summarize your 3 reasons.
Write 3 details about this reason.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
sick
Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable.

15. Now, go back to square 1 and elaborate on at least 1 detail
Now, go back to square 1 and elaborate on at least 1 detail. Then, do the same for squares 2 & 3. Elaboration means to tell more and give greater details. This makes the writing more interesting for the reader. Ways to Elaborate with Expository Writing: 1.Facts – statements that prove a point & it can be based on research 2.Relevant statistics – facts that are stated in numbers 3.Description – describe with more detail 4.Personal story or anecdote – brief account of an interesting incident or event 5.Examples – cases that illustrate a point 6.Quotes – exact words from an official source or expert

16. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Elaborate on one detail.
Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
ELABORATE
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.

17. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Elaborate on one detail.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
Elaborate on one detail.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
ELABORATE
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.
ssssssssssssssss

18. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Elaborate on one detail.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
Elaborate on one detail.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.
Elaborate on one detail.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
Sick
She brings me my assignments
when I miss school
ELABORATE

19. A list of transition words is online!
Step 5: Add transitions - transitions will help your ideas flow from one idea to another.
For example,
In addition,
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
A list of transition words is online!
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
Furthermore,
In conclusion,
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
Sick
She brings me my assignments
when I miss school
Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable..

20. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
In addition,
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad .
Each square will become a paragraph.
Furthermore,
In conclusion,
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.
To Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
Sick
She brings me my assignments
when I miss school
Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable

21. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
The introductory paragraph (the center box) prepares the reader for the details to come.
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life. She is the ultimate example of how a person should treat a friend.
She doesn’t just get the title BFF. She has earned that title because of the qualities she possesses.

22. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
In addition,
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
Next Paragraph .
When you transfer each
paragraph to the paper, write each idea and detail in a complete sentence.
Also, add a concluding sentence for each paragraph.
Furthermore,
In conclusion,
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.
To Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
Sick
She brings me my assignments
when I miss school
Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable

23. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
For example, Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal. One way she demonstrates her loyalty is through her trustworthiness. I can trust her to keep my secrets confidential. Also, she is very caring and shows that through her actions. Her loyalty never falters because she sticks by me in good times and bad. Her faithfulness makes her a true friend.

24. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
In addition,
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
Next Paragraph .
Furthermore,
In conclusion,
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.
When you transfer each
paragraph to the paper, write each idea and detail in a complete sentence.
Also, add a concluding sentence for each paragraph.
To Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
Sick
She brings me my assignments
when I miss school
Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable

25. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
In addition, Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to. She is always there for me when I am having a bad day. She listens to my problems and tries to give me helpful advice. Andrea also listens to me when I am sad, and she tries to make me feel better. Additionally, she is always willing to listen when I have good news to share. It is great having Andrea as a best friend because she is someone I can talk to no matter if I have good news or bad news.

26. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
In addition,
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad
When you transfer each
paragraph to the paper, write
each idea and detail in a complete
sentence.
Also, add a concluding sentence
for each paragraph. .
Furthermore,
In conclusion,
I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Next Paragraph
To Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
Sick
She brings me my assignments
when I miss school
Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable to find true happiness.

27. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
Furthermore, Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand. She helps me with special projects and homework when I don’t understand what to do. Also, she helps me with chores at my house. She is even helpful when I am sick. I can always count on her to bring me my assignments when I miss school. I am so fortunate to have a friend who is so thoughtful and helpful.

28. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
In addition,
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.
bad day
listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice
sad
good news
Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.
Trustworthy
Keeps my secrets
cares about me
sticks with me in good times and bad .
Furthermore,
In conclusion,
Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.”
To Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.
projects and homework
chores
Sick
She brings me my assignments
when I miss school
Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable
Summary Paragraph

29. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Summary
Paragraph
In conclusion, Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable!
Add an ending punch.
Ending PUNCH

30. Practice RAFTSS
Creativity is defined as the ability to make or do something in a new, different,
or imaginative way. As a class assignment, you are to write a composition
about a person you admire for his or her creativity. This person could be
someone famous—a well-known inventor, writer, artist, musician, or scientist,
for example—or someone you know.
Before you begin to write, think about a person whose creativity you admire.
What has this person done that is creative? Why is this person interesting to
you? What is special about his or her achievements?
Now write a multiparagraph composition for your class identifying this
person and explaining why he or she is a creative person.
Give specific details and explain why you think the way you do so that your class will understand what you mean.
Be sure to write clearly and check your composition for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.